Braves 9, Rockies 2: Homers get the best of the Rockies

The Rockies dropped a rare home game on Sunday against the Braves, getting blown out 9-2. It was one of those games that got out of hand early and unfortunately didn’t get much better as the innings piled up.

Double debuts

Two Rockies righties made their MLB debuts today, and they couldn’t have been more different.

Ryan Feltner started the game, and the 25-year-old lasted just 2 ²⁄₃ innings before being given the hook. On the first pitch of the game, he allowed a solo homer to Ozzie Albies to make it 1-0 Braves. The last time a starter gave up a homer on the first pitch of his MLB debut was Aug. 5, 2019 when Miami Marlins starter Robert Duggar allowed a leadoff first-pitch homer to Mets’ utilityman Jeff McNeil. Feltner would end up giving up three home runs during his short outing — the solo shot to Albies, a three-run shot to Adam Duvall and a solo shot to Travis d’Arnaud (both in the third). Hopefully this is just some MLB debut nerves and Feltner will settle in as he spends more time in the bigs.

Julian Fernández also made his MLB debut today. The fireballer pitched 1 ²⁄₃ innings in the sixth and seventh. In his first inning of work, Fernández threw eight pitches — seven fastballs and a sinker. His “slowest” pitch of the inning was his last — a 99.7 MPH fastball.

Here’s a video of Fernández’s 102.4 MPH strikeout of Freddie Freeman (his first MLB K):

Unfortunately, the magic didn’t stick into his second inning. Fernández was tagged for three runs on a double by Jorge Soler, a single by Freddie Freeman, and a homer by Austin Riley. But overall, it was a fun day if you like MLB debuts!

Atlanta vs Raimel Tapia

Charlie Morton threw a gem for the Braves, limiting Rockies hitters to just two hits. And by Rockies hitters, I really mean Raimel Tapia. The left fielder recorded the Rockies only two hits — a single in the first and a triple in the third. An errant throw by Morton allowed Tap to advance to third in the first, but he was left stranded. In the third, he was brought home by Rodgers’ RBI groundout.

On top of being limited to just two hits, the Rockies just couldn’t get on base at all. They walked twice, but struck out four times and left four on base.

Rodgers dazzles on defense

While the Rockies weren’t able to capitalize offensively, Brendan Rodgers showed off his glove skills. In the fourth, he made a tumbling catch to stave off another run from scoring in, what was then, the 6-0 ballgame:

Then, after recording his 40th RBI in the bottom of the fourth, Rodgers made another diving stop in the eighth to, again, stave off another potential run in the 9-2 game:

Rodgers has made some great plays this season, and hopefully it’s a sign of things to come for the young infielder.

Up next

The Rox will stay at Coors for three games against the Giants. Kyle Freeland is scheduled to start against fellow Colorado native Kevin Gausman. First pitch is at 2:10pm MT.